"No... why do you ask?" Flintbeard replies with a confused frown.

Caio winces at the painful prodding. “Surely I’ve suffered worse in my time. You can heal it, yes?”

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"No... why do you ask?" Flintbeard replies with a confused frown.

     Astrid's nose crinkles with the Commander's response. "Oh...umm. Well, you see I overheard a conversation in a tavern while I was in Pitrograd. This Marchak and a Sarameian. It sounded like some deal was being made to allow the empire's army across The Gap... when the snow melts."

"Ah, yes. I did receive word of this from Kazad Azgaraz," Flintbeard notes, his mouth set grimly beneath his beard. "I hope that the matter has been brought to the attention of the King by now. This fortress watches over the northern half of the Gap of Hirn; almost fifty miles of land. We cannot hope to reach the Sarameian forces in time if they attempt to cross into Littlewood near the Norscan sea. It's simply too far."

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Caio winces at the painful prodding. “Surely I’ve suffered worse in my time. You can heal it, yes?”

"I think so... Brother Ludomir disapproves of my methods but I still feel the Lady's warmth..."  Alaris murmurs to the impassive ranger. Taking a deep breath, the aasimar chafes their hands together to warm them, then lays them over the worst of the bruising.  "Lady of light and love, bring wholeness to this warrior, wounded to protect a friend."

      "Well, I'm glad I was able to give you some sort of warning." Astrid gives a resigned sigh. "But, if Kazad Grim has made up their mind to let them through, is there even anything that we can do? Also, what would even be so valuable that they would go against the King?"

Caio lets out a grateful sigh of relief as the Lady’s healing grace washes over his back, the worst of his bruising washing away as if it had been painted on his skin with watercolor. “Thank you, Alaris. I’ve got your next round.”

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      "Well, I'm glad I was able to give you some sort of warning." Astrid gives a resigned sigh. "But, if Kazad Grim has made up their mind to let them through, is there even anything that we can do? Also, what would even be so valuable that they would go against the King?"

 
"Perhaps Prince Byrrnoth intends to make a play for the throne of Karaz Hirn," Flintbeard muses. "He has amassed significant power and his followers are loyal. I can't imagine that he anticipated his deal with the Sarameians being overheard in a tavern in Piotrgrad. It could be that news of his plans reaching his uncle is enough to make him deny everything and cut ties with the Kapikulu. The details of this plot remain unclear. We can only hope that Kazad Grimm stands firm if this Chorbaji attempts to cross the gap."

      Astrid glances down and kicks at the hem of her robe in embarrassment. "Yes. My father suggested paying them a visit when I last spoke with him... Do you think there is still time? A group that size would be probably be moving slowly?"

"I would hope that it isn't necessary," the commander replies with a grimace. "If your father has passed word to Prince Thuringar and he to King Alrik, then any immediate threat of insurrection should have been thwarted, if that is what was truly planned at Kazad Grimm. Such an accusation amounts to treason and for that there are too many unknowns and no evidence beyond your own eavesdropping. Were it not for your family name, I imagine that such allegations would be dismissed entirely and branded hearsay."

Flintbeard pauses, choosing his words carefully before continuing.

"My lady, you must be cautious with this information. If Prince Byrrnoth has plans other than aspirations to the throne, then he remains a powerful and influential man. He's intelligent with all the education of royalty and to stand against him with no clear idea of what exactly it is that he wants or is scheming is a very dangerous game indeed."

     "Oh, yes, of course, m'lord! Meaning no offence, but I was unsure if I wanted to reveal this even to you."

     Astrid gives a weak laugh and relaxes her demeanor.

     "I am a bit glad that I won't need to be visiting Kazad Grimm. The road here as been stressful to say the least and I could use a moment to relax."

Flintbeard nods in understanding.

"I'm afraid that I have more business to attend to this evening. If these Sarameians do come our way, then we must be ready for them. Thank you for your visit and your counsel. Karfet will have you seen safely to your lodgings. Good evening, Lady Silverscar."

     "Yes, of course, M'lord. Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but it's better than leaving it unsaid." Astrid offers a meek smile. "Good evening, Lord Commander." With a slight bow she turns and trots out of the chambers.

     She lets out a relieved breath on the other side. Finding Karfet on the other side, she quickly composes herself and gives the soldier a nod. "I guess your walking me back to The Hearthstone?"

"As you wish, mi'lady," Karfet replies with a stoic nod. "That is, unless there's anywhere else that you'd rather I escort you."

That night, while the travellers sleep in the large bed provided for them at the Hearthstone, Caio sits on the floor in one corner of the room, legs folded as his mind drifts in an elven trance. A strange vibration disturbs his nightly ritual and Caio's eyes snap open, his ears twitching. Some kind of noise here is out of place, but it's hard to say where or what it is.

Every muscle in Caio's body tenses as he is disturbed from his trance. He doesn't move yet, though Ghoul begins to stir in the piled up blanket he commandeered for a nest. For now the inquisitor waits, his onyx eyes scanning every corner of the room and his ears straining to make out what the odd noise is.

Caio focuses and he can hear a scratching sound coming from beneath the floor, although it's hard to pinpoint exactly where.

The elf’s brow furrows as he slowly rises from the floor, grabbing hold of his sword as he stands. Meanwhile Ghoul lets out an anxious squawk and stirs from his resting place with a flurry of flapping wings. He begins making his way around the room, rousing each of the Septem with insistent pecks. As each of his companions is pulled from their slumber, Caio simply points down to the floor with a stern grimace on his face.

The scratching noise grows louder, like something hard grinding on wood near the wall.

      "Hey! What..!?" Astrid's eye jolt open with the awakening from the bird. "Bah! You know there's other ways to wa-..." She glares at the Caio but notices his focus on something. The dwarf quiets herself for a moment. "Uh. What's that sound?" Her question is hushed, but then she quickly begins to gather her belongings. "Maybe we shouldn't just be staying here?!"

     She pulls a copper spring from her pouch and brings it to her lips. "Lord Commander - This is Astrid. It sounds like something is coming up from underneath our room here in The Hearthstone!"